Meet The Designer

Welcome! I’m Colana Kay, founder and designer of Shower of Roses Shoppe, a Catholic design studio dedicated to creating heirloom quality invitations, prayer cards, greeting cards, stationery, and gifts inspired by the beauty and traditions of the Catholic Faith.

I grew up as one of nine children in a family where the Catholic Faith was not simply professed but lived each day. My parents’ deep devotion to Christ, Our Blessed Mother, and the traditions of the Church instilled in me a lifelong love for the Sacraments, the saints, and our rich Catholic heritage.

As a young girl, I sold Sunshine Greeting Cards door to door and later earned money selling Immaculata Magazine subscriptions for the Franciscan Friars at Marytown in Kenosha, Wisconsin. My family’s involvement in Catholic publishing further shaped my appreciation for beautiful printed works. My grandmother, Helen Howell, helped make St. Louis de Montfort’s The Secret of the Rosary more affordable and accessible to Catholic families, while my uncle, J. Bruce “Bud” Howell, founded Christ and Country Books in Rockford, Illinois, where he republished the paperback edition until TAN Books assumed publication. Their example showed me that beautiful Catholic publications can strengthen faith, encourage prayer, and preserve our Catholic heritage.

In my twenties, I developed a deep devotion to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower. Through her loving intercession, I met my husband, Kelly, and her “shower of roses” inspired the name Shower of Roses Shoppe, a reminder that God often grants His blessings through the saints.

Today, through my two Zazzle stores, I continue that mission. Shower of Roses Shoppe offers heirloom Catholic designs for the Sacraments, feast days, liturgical seasons, and Catholic family life, while Catholic Wedding Essentials is devoted exclusively to serving Catholic brides and grooms with faith filled wedding stationery and accessories.

My collections now include more than 15,000 Catholic designs, including wedding invitations, funeral prayer cards, greeting cards, stationery, gifts, and keepsakes for nearly every Sacrament, feast day, and milestone in the life of the Church.

Every design is created to help Catholic families celebrate the Sacraments and the milestones of faith with beauty, reverence, and enduring tradition. Whether commemorating a joyful celebration or remembering a loved one in prayer, my hope is that these keepsakes will encourage prayer, preserve our Catholic heritage, and become treasured heirlooms for generations to come.

Thank you for visiting. May God bless you, and may Our Blessed Mother and St. Thérèse continue to shower your family with many graces.